We wanted to learn more about this brilliant, fundraising cycling event which takes riders through some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. And find out about the ‘inimitable’, local man who inspired it all so we put our questions to co-organiser, Charles Edwards of Ludlow Cycling Club.
Can you tell us a little history behind the challenge and its name? When and how did it start and why does it mean so much to you?
Danny Mason was and is one of Ludlow’s great characters. A bundle of energy from when as a teenager; he volunteered to be parachuted behind German lines to disable their big guns on the Rhine, he then became an avid cyclist and champion of all outdoor sports as warden of Ludlow’s Youth Hostel by Ludford Bridge. So when he retired aged 65 years in 1990 from running with his late wife, a much-loved hardware shop in the Bull Ring, instead of putting his feet up he organised the first Shropshire Highland Challenge bike ride in 1991. The aim was simple, to introduce as many cycling enthusiasts as possible to the many wild and wonderful lanes of the Shropshire Hills. It’s been going strong ever since. When Danny had to retire from organising it in 2016 aged 90 – when 700 riders took part! – there is absolutely no way a few of us would let the Challenge retire with him.
The route is always 100% Shropshire and changes every year, where is it taking riders this year and what are your personal highlights?
The route’s always based in Shropshire but quite often we stray over into Powys or Herefordshire – because many of the lanes don’t recognise county borders! Mapping a new route each year is one of the pleasures of running it and this year the highlights will be the Unk valley, the Clun Forest (very few trees!) under the Kerry Ridgeway, and the remote Offa’s Dyke stretch between the upper Clun and Teme valleys
Is the challenge a race and are there any strict no-nos? Can anyone take part?
It’s most definitely not a race. For a start, many of the lanes are too dangerous to race on. And we want riders to appreciate the landscape they’re riding through. That said, we attract all types: from young fast club riders to more mature once-a-year touring riders, many of them couples. Everyone is welcome, but you have to be reasonably fit and confident handling a bicycle. Don’t forget closing date for entries is this Saturday, 3rd June.
The event is 65 miles long, can participants expect refreshments along the way?
I’m sure the feed stops are the main reason many enter! They’re famously friendly, well-stocked and make the prospect of climbing hill after hill less daunting when you know it’s never far to the next stop. There are three feed stops on the route – Matty’s delicious croissants have been ordered for the first feed stop to replace some of the calories burnt! – with the lunches of local produce provided by Stretton farmer, Kath Perkins and her team, as they have been for longer than I can remember.
What charity have you chosen to support this year and why?
A few years ago we decided to align the ride with the landscape and environment which it passes through. My partner and now co-organiser Gwyneth Bowyer came up with the idea of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust – she’s now on the Ludlow branch Committee – and we’ve raised over £3,000 for them in each of 2021 and 2022 for their important work in our local landscape.
NOTE TO RIDERS
Online entry closes this year at midnight Saturday June 3rd 2023, it’s only £25.00 pp (includes food and drink at the start and at all three en-route stops).
Visit the Shropshire Highland Challenge website to find out more and book your place.
Riders are welcome to camp on the nights of Saturday June 10th and Sunday June 11th at Ludlow Rugby Club. Facilities are basic but include toilets, water and a shower. The fee, paid when you enter, is £10 per person per night in a tent and £15 in a caravan. Sorry, no dogs.
